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Being Bohemian

Donald Macleod explores the creation of Smetana's Ma Vlast and the rebirth of a Czech culture after years of suppression by the Hapsburg Empire.

Donald Macleod explores the rebirth of a Czech culture after years of suppression by the Hapsburg Empire. Smetana himself grew up speaking German and struggled with his own Czech librettos. His music is firmly rooted in the politics of the time, and throughout, he was determined to forge a musical identity for his nation - one which found its most popular and enduring voice in his series of tone poems: Ma Vlast.

1 hour

Music Played

  • Bedrich Smetana

    Vltava [Moldau], Ma vlast [My country] - cycle of symphonic poems

    Conductor: Vladimir VALEK Performer: Prague Radio Orchestra

    • SUCD.
    • 3916-2.
  • Bedrich Smetana

    Festival overture [Jubel] in D major Op.4

    Conductor: Gianandrea NOSEDA Performer: BBC Philharmonic

    • CHANDOS.
    • CHAN-10413.
  • Bedrich Smetana

    no.2 in G minor; 3 Poetic polkas Op.8 for piano

    Performer: Andras SCHIFF - Piano

    • TELDEC.
    • 3984--21261-2.
  • Bedrich Smetana

    Ceska pisen [Czech song], arr. for chorus and orchestra

    Conductor: Zdenek KOSLER Performer: Czech Philharmonic Chorus Performer: Prague S O

    • Supraphon:.
    • SU3040-2.
  • Bedrich Smetana

    Overture in C

    Conductor: Robert STANKOVSKY Performer: Slovak R S O

    • Marco Polo.
    • 8223705.
  • Bedrich Smetana

    no.11; Lancers [Hulan], Czech dances - set 2 [nos.5-14] for piano

    Performer: Kathryn STOTT - Piano

    • Chandos.
    • Chan 10430.
  • Bedrich Smetana

    Vltava [Moldau], Ma vlast [My country] - cycle of symphonic poems

    Conductor: Vladimir VALEK Performer: Prague Radio Orchestra

    • SUCD.
    • 3916-2.
  • Bedrich Smetana

    Festival overture [Jubel] in D major Op.4

    Conductor: Gianandrea NOSEDA Performer: BBC Philharmonic

    • CHANDOS.
    • CHAN-10413.
  • Bedrich Smetana

    no.2 in G minor; 3 Poetic polkas Op.8 for piano

    Performer: Andras SCHIFF - Piano

    • TELDEC.
    • 3984--21261-2.
  • Bedrich Smetana

    Ceska pisen [Czech song], arr. for chorus and orchestra

    Conductor: Zdenek KOSLER Performer: Czech Philharmonic Chorus Performer: Prague S O

    • Supraphon:.
    • SU3040-2.
  • Bedrich Smetana

    Overture in C

    Conductor: Robert STANKOVSKY Performer: Slovak R S O

    • Marco Polo.
    • 8223705.
  • Bedrich Smetana

    no.11; Lancers [Hulan], Czech dances - set 2 [nos.5-14] for piano

    Performer: Kathryn STOTT - Piano

    • Chandos.
    • Chan 10430.

Broadcasts

  • Thu 1 Dec 2011 12:00
  • Thu 1 Dec 2011 18:30

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